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Recap of 11/28 City Council Meeting

Post Date:11/30/2017 12:00 PM

** (note: following are highlights only; for more detailed information, please see meeting minutes)

CEREMONIAL MATTERS/PRESENTATIONS

The City Council recognized City of Novato employee Dan Weakley for over 31 years of dedicated service to the Novato community. During his time here at Novato, Dan has worked in the City Manager's Office, Police Department, Community Development, and Parks, Recreation and Community Services before finding his home in Human Resources as the Human Resources Manager in 2000. Dan has contributed to several major projects over the years including the criminal apprehension grant, radio voting system and initiation of the department budgeting process. We wish him a very happy retirement.

The City Council welcomed the new Habitat for Humanity residents and presented them with a certificate to officially welcome them to Novato. Habitat for Humanity recently completed 10 single-family homes within walking distance to Downtown Novato.

Novato Fire Protection District Chief Mark Heine provided an update to Council which included an overview of the fire district and highlighted recent accomplishments.

Item 1 - Waive Reading and Authorize Introductions and/or Adoptions of Ordinances by Title Only

This is a standard procedural action to waive any first reading of an ordinance on this agenda, so that the City Council does not have to read the ordinance in its entirety, only the ordinance's title.

As part of the annual renewal process for the BID, the BID Advisory Board is required to prepare an annual report each year. The annual report includes a detailed budget, summary of accomplishments and proposed work plan for the coming year. The City contracts with the Downtown Novato Business Association (DNBA) which serves as the BID Advisory Board and prepares the annual report, including a proposed budget.

It is recognized that the presence of a highly trained and skilled police Crisis Response Unit has been shown to aid in the peaceful resolution of critical incidents and reduce the risk of injury or loss of life to members of the community, police officers, and suspects. These units have been established to provide support to critical field operations where specialized tactics and negotiation skills exceed the capability of patrol officers, usually involving violent individuals trying to avoid apprehension. The ability to deploy highly trained individuals with specialized resources will significantly increase the probability of a safe and peaceful resolution to these critical incidents.

On October 24, 2017, staff presented the 1st quarter Budget report, which illustrated that the City has an unobligated General Fund balance from the fiscal year 2016-2017 of approximately $1.5 million dollars. Subsequently, Council directed staff to provide recommendations for the use of these funds including an employee reward or compensation component and addressing the City’s long-term debt and reserves policy.

This is the first step in a comprehensive process that may lead to reuse/redevelopment of one or more of these four sites.

Next steps will include bringing back a detailed plan for a proposed RFP process to Council for discussion and review. The details will include a timeline, community engagement plan, and a layout of the review and selection process.

Council requested that the RFP(s) allow for multiple options such as City Retention and Reuse, Sale (which could be to a public entity, private entity, non-profit, etc.), Lease, Public/Private/Non-profit Partnership, or Public-Public Partnership.

Any reuse/redevelopment of these sites will occur only after a comprehensive public engagement process, environmental review and noticed public hearings before the Design Review Committee, Planning Commission and City Council. Decisions will not be made without significant input from the community throughout the entire process for each parcel.